By With just over three weeks to go before South Africa heads to the local government polls on 4 November 2026, the political landscape is shifting rapidly. A recent eNCA/MarkData poll has injected high stakes into the municipal race, indicating a notable surge for the Democratic Alliance (DA) and positioning the party ahead of the African National Congress (ANC) in critical economic hubs.
According to the survey data, the DA holds the lead in key metros such as Ekurhuleni and Nelson Mandela Bay. DA leadership notes that these figures align closely with their internal tracking, which places the party as the largest political force across five major metros. Furthermore, fiercely contested races in eThekwini and Mangaung show the DA within the statistical margin of error to seize the lead.
Reacting to the findings, DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis framed the momentum as a clear referendum on governance. He emphasized that voters are increasingly shifting away from empty political promises, choosing instead to evaluate parties strictly on a tangible record of delivery. The sustained decline of the ANC, he argued, serves as a direct verdict from citizens weary of municipal collapse, widespread corruption, and years of unfulfilled commitments.
While the survey numbers offer an encouraging sign for the opposition, the DA stresses that translating poll potential into actual electoral victory requires high voter turnout. With local government stability hanging in the balance, the party is framing the upcoming 4 November election as a decisive opportunity for South Africans to reject coalition chaos, demand reliable basic services like water and electricity, and establish accountable, well-run municipal governments.
